A standard, wall-mounted replicator.
A technology invented in and used almost exclusively by ImperiusX, Replicators were devices that could dematerialize quantities of inanimate matter and then rematerialize this matter in another form. It was also capable of inverting this function, thus disposing of leftovers and dishes and storing the bulk material again. Lacking such stored matter, the devices could be modified to assemble atoms out of the subatomic particles present throughout the universe.
Used to replace farms as the primary providers of food, replicators were capable of producing something as fresh and tasty as non-replicated foodstuffs, inorganically materialized out of patterns programmed into their computer cores by their owners. Most people found replicated foods and drinks to taste exactly the same as "real" food, although some people claimed to be able to tell the difference.
In addition to foodstuffs, some replicators could be used for replicating common consumer goods, textiles and even machinery.
Industrial replicators could even be used to replicate heavier machine parts, like starship components, and Droid Replicators, integrated into all of ImperiusX's starships, could quickly assemble entire, functioning, pre-programmed droids. These kinds of complex, specialized replicators were rare, outside of military use, as they were quite expensive.
Replicators did not provide completely free goods for all, as private interests or the government owned the rights to many products, and taxes still applied. Each replicator was registered to a citizen or private establishment, and the value of the replicated good -- plus applicable taxes --was charged to the credit account associated with this person or establishment.
Basic needs, however, such as sets of utilitarian clothing, water and nutritional supplement were free.[1]
Furthermore, there were also medical replicators that could produce replacement body parts and organs. Though somewhat rare in 12 NE, they became commonplace by 17 NE.
ImperiusX's starships and space-stations used replication functions in their life support systems to efficiently purify the air into appropriate gas mixtures for reuse, thus forgoing the need for massive gas storage.[2]